Tag: authenticity

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Different is not “Bad” – It’s Uncomfortable.

One of the more intense traits of someone with an OCD brain, is that we can obsess about existential things until we’re left with a bizarre unanswered question. So, let’s take a trip on the Nina brain train for a hot sec…šŸš‚šŸš‚šŸš‚šŸš‚

We develop our identity based on our relationships and interactions with other people. We are literally shaped by those around us. It makes sense; we’re relational beings. It’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about relationship dynamics. They are critical in our personal growth and development. With that said, I’ve also noticed that the hate in this world comes from people not agreeing with others, and/or trying to “get” other people to think/look/behave the way we do. The deeper I thought about it, the clearer things got.

Under allllll of the poop slinging (and there’s a lot), is this engrained belief that different is bad. So, then I thought…well…is different actually bad? What I found during my mental masturbation over that question was this: Different is not bad; “bad” is subjective. However. different is one thing for sure…it’s uncomfortable. Why is it uncomfortable? First, if we aren’t 100% confident in our belief systems, or we are still internally conflicted – it’s easier to question ourselves (and who the hell wants to do that?). It feels unstable, unsafe, and scary.

Next, differences can cause anxiety and fear. Take politics for example (yup, I’m going there…but not for long – trust me). Underneath all of the arguing is a legitimate fear about how the decision maker of our country could impact us and those we love. Anxiety and fear are the root of MOST of our emotions, but we tend to express anger because it’s way more societally acceptable. This happens in relationships ALL. THE. TIME.

Last, being exposed to a different thought, idea, or opinion, can create an underlying mistrust of our past. When our foundation is challenged, we go to battle to protect it. It’s like hearing someone say something bad about your best friend that you don’t believe is true – so you immediately start counter arguing on their behalf. The ironic part about all of this, is that the coolest thing about human beings is that no two people are the same…literally!! Even identical twins will experience the world through different lenses.

So, spending our lives trying to fit everyone into a box that is palatable for our own minds, is an exercise in futility. And lord knows there are better things to do that actually make the world a BETTER place – like eating, sleeping, laughing, and masturbating.

Choo-Choo! šŸš‚šŸš‚šŸš‚šŸš‚

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Protecting Our Pain

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I know how hard it is to show up as yourself in this world. Itā€™s almost like youā€™re getting pushed back into your little corner every time you try to show yourself. Feel familiar?

You share something vulnerable with someone, and they donā€™t respond in a way that makes you feel accepted. So, your fears are validated, and you retreat. Know anyone like that? Itā€™s like weā€™re meerkats that keep trying to come up out of our holes, and then quickly return to the dark tunnel underground where itā€™s safe.I want to share something with you that has given me the words to write this post right now.

About a year ago, I had done a few shows back to back where I interviewed a few gay men who also happen to be drag queens. I also interviewed a recovering drug addict, a trans man, and a woman who shared her story about living with Bipolar. Someone said something to me that made me reflect a bit. ā€œNina, I donā€™t know if someoneā€™s mentioned this before, but for a white, cis hetero woman, you seem to interview people that are nothing like you.ā€I thought for a while, and I couldnā€™t come up with an answer as to why that was. Then, I realized why. Those guests actually were VERY much ā€œlike meā€. I can see why, at the surface, there seems to be more differences than similarities. But, if you look deeper ā€“ that couldnā€™t be further from the truth.

Ya see, NONE of us lead the same life. Thatā€™s impossible. You know whatā€™s VERY possible, though? Experiencing similar (or even exact) emotions as other people. True, they can be caused by different things – but as humans, the one thing we DO have in common, is that we FEEL. Am I gay? Nope. Trans? Nope. A Drag Queen? Nope. Recovering addict? Nope. Do I struggle with Bipolar? Nope. But, you know what?

I DO know what it feels like to fear rejection if I vulnerably shared a part of who I was.

I DO know what itā€™s like to wish that a part of me would just ā€œgo awayā€ so I didnā€™t have to deal with it anymore.

I DO know what itā€™s like to have a brain that works in a way that isnā€™t ā€œtypicalā€.

I DO know what itā€™s like to wear a mask for so damn long that sometimes I even forgot who I was.

Authenticity is the greatest human filter out there. When you work through the fear, the discomfort, and the vulnerability, little by little you will start to attract others who have been waiting for someone just like you to connect with. Is it easy? Fu*k no. Will everyone understand you? Nope. Will everyone stick around? Nope. Will be people judge you? Uh huh.

I know itā€™s scary. God, do I know itā€™s scary. However, Iā€™ve learned that people can only see each other through the darkness, when at least one of them holds up a flashlight. So, just know that mine is always on. ā¤

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Why I Won’t Dull Myself…

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Iā€™ve been holding onto this message since she sent it yesterday morning – still with my heart in my gut. My close friend, Emily, was recently diagnosed with cancer, and she sent this to me. So many thoughts I pulled from this, and I wanted to share one of the biggest:

Do you know how many times I get strange reactions from people when I tell them I speak about mental health and sexuality? Do you know how many people have probably unfollowed me? Blocked me? Questioned my ā€œmoral compassā€? Judged me as a parent? A wife? A human? Probably a lot. 

I also hear things like, ā€œOmg, I canā€™t believe you said that on social media!ā€ Or ā€œArenā€™t you worried what other people think when they see your content?ā€

To the people who are uncomfortable with my level of self-acceptance and raw ā€˜humannessā€™, to the point where they judge me – itā€™s ok. Iā€™m not mad. It doesnā€™t hurt my feelings. I will never try to make you comfortable. Thatā€™s your story to read, not mine. Thatā€™s not my mission, nor my purpose. 

My purpose in life is to create a safe space for people to uncage themselves from shame and guilt. A space where people can take off every damn mask that life has mistakingly urged them to wear. A space where people can say HERE. I. FUC*%ING. AM, and be met with open arms NO MATTER WHAT. Thatā€™s why Iā€™m here, thatā€™s what I do, and thatā€™s WHO I AM. 

I focus on sexuality and mental health because thatā€™s what we fear the most about ourselves. They are the most vulnerable parts of who we are, and what we spend our LIVES hiding from. 

The underlying message isnā€™t about sex and mental health. You need to understand that. Itā€™s about RADICAL SELF ACCEPTANCE. And if you can accept the two most innately human and messiest parts of who you are, then THAT is RADICAL SELF ACCEPTANCE – something that our culture clearly tries to stifle from all angles. 

So, am I concerned about others opinions? Will I temper my crazy ass messages to this world? Absofreakinlutely NOT. As a matter of fact, Iā€™m really ok that I make dildo jokes, masturbation references, and share my OCD story. It created space for a dear friend to open up, and she will undoubtedly save her own life because of it.

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Be a rebel. Be yourself.

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Itā€™s not ā€œkindaā€ rebellious…it is INCREDIBLY rebellious in our world to be yourself. To openly discuss the sides of us that weā€™ve been taught to hide, seems to be some act of courage. My opinion? It should be the norm. 

Marriage can be tough, parenting can be tough, careers can be tough, money conversation can be tough, our sexuality can be tough, our mental health can be tough, our body image issues can be tough. The list goes on…

So many of us are lost in the ideal that weā€™re completely neglecting who we ACTUALLY are. By doing this, we attract those who we do not align with. We end up seeking out situations and environments that donā€™t even really speak to who we are and what we stand for. We settle. We settle as if we have an unlimited amount of time to seek what we actually are deserving of (which is some pretty awesome shit by the way.)

So, Iā€™m going to just put this out there – Be a rebel. And if youā€™re looking for other rebels out there, I can assure you that you already know at least one šŸ’šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø